LAS CRUCES - Support for the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks Wilderness Act continues to grow, as the Obama administration has now offered its support to the legislation intended to protect the mountain range just east of Las Cruces and other scenic areas in Doña Ana County.
"Passage of this legislation will ensure that generations of New Mexicans and all Americans will be able to witness a golden eagle soar over the Sierra de las Uvas, hike the landmark Organ Mountains, or hunt in the volcanic outcroppings of the Potrillo Mountains," said Marcilynn A. Burke, deputy director for the Bureau of Land Management. "We welcome this opportunity to enhance protection for some of America's treasured landscapes."
The Obama administration endorsed the legislation at a U.S. Senate hearing Thursday in Washington, D.C. Resolutions in support of the legislation written by Sens. Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall, both D-N.M., to protect the Organs have already been adopted by the city of Las Cruces, town of Mesilla and Doña Ana County governments. Gov. Bill Richardson has also thrown in his support for the bill.
"This bill already had strong local support, and now we have the backing of the Obama administration," said Bingaman, chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. "The Organ Mountains provide one of the most stunning views in New Mexico, and we are now on our way to preserving them for future enjoyment."
The bill would create wilderness and conservation areas that would provide for continued public use while protecting the Organ's granite peaks and volcanic cinder cones of the Potrillo Mountains, also in Doña Ana County.
"I want to thank Chairman Bingaman for allowing me to participate in the hearing for this important legislation," said Udall. "The Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks Wilderness Act will protect thousands of acres of desert prairie and rugged mountain. From the jagged basalt lava flows of the Cinder Cone Wilderness, to the roaming hawks and scrambling javelinas of the Robledo Mountains, this unique piece of southern New Mexico has abundant natural and economic value, and deserves protection for generations to come."
The legislation would protect 259,000 acres of wilderness and 100,000 acres of National Conservation Area. These areas would be managed in ways that protect the landscape from development while preserving current uses - such as hunting and grazing.
The bill also releases 16,350 acres along the southern border that had previously been designated as so-called "Wilderness Study Area." This will provide increased flexibility for border law enforcement.
"I applaud the leadership of Sen. Bingaman and Sen. Udall who introduced this important legislation to protect many of the most important public lands in southern New Mexico," Richardson said. "From the jagged spires of the Organ Mountains to the petroglyphs in Broad Canyon, this bill will protect some of the finest ecosystems and vistas that New Mexico's Chihuahuan Desert has to offer, while making an important contribution to our country's wilderness and National Landscape Conservation System."
Oscar Butler, vice chairman of the county Board of Commissioners, and Jerry Schickedanz, chairman of the group People for Preserving Our Western Heritage, were invited to testify at the hearing. While Schickedanz said he certainly supports efforts to preserve the Organs, he and others are opposed to the limitations that could be placed on ranchers and other users of the wilderness areas.
"There are other ways to protect the lands," Schickedanz said. "It's premature to put this on the fast track for approval without a public hearing."
But others, such as Joel Hoffman, of Organ, are excited about the bill.
"I'm very happy to hear this legislation ... has come from four years worth of hard work. Now is the time to act, let's do this."
Organ Mountains support
The city of Las Cruces, town of Mesilla and Doña Ana County governments have all approved resolutions in support of the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks Wilderness Act.
The legislation was introduced into the U.S. Senate in mid September.
Gov. Bill Richardson is also supporting the legislation.
The bill would create wilderness and conservation areas that would be available for public use.
